Commissioner of NHL dismisses claims that Florida's success is linked to tax benefits.
Florida's Hockey Success Undeterred by Tax Talk
NCAA Commissioner Gary Bettman ain't buying the hype that Florida's low taxes hold sway over its hockey teams' victories. The chatter, initially stirred by TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette, has suggested that Florida's teams enjoy a leg up because their players get to hoard more cash thanks to the absence of state income tax. But Bettman lays it straight: the idea stinks, and it's a slap in the face to teams' real achievements.
Bettman digs into the past, recalling instances when Florida's teams—specifically Tampa and the Panthers—weren't exactly killin' it. You'd never hear a peep about taxes back then, he notes. The guy flat-out isn't convinced.
Now, Tampa's bagged the Stanley Cup thrice—in 2003, 2020, and 2021—while Florida finally nabbed a trophy in 2023. As for the Cats, they're currently leading (2:1) against Edmonton in the final series.
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*Sources: 1, 2, 3, 5
ELongation: Gary Bettman, NHL's commissioner, firmly shuts down the argument that Florida's low taxes fuel the success of its hockey teams. This notion, popularized by TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette, insists that teams in Florida enjoy a competitive advantage due to players keeping more of their earnings because of the lack of state income tax. However, Bettman considers this idea ridiculous and a slap to the teams' actual accomplishments.
When Florida's teams weren't thriving, about 17 years ago, no complaints about taxes were raised, as Bettman points out. He stresses that player decisions aren't made over tax tables, suggesting that the money saved on taxes isn't the primary factor in team success. He also mentions that other teams in states without income tax, like the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators, have had mixed success, implying that tax benefits alone don't guarantee competitive results. Conversely, teams in high-tax states like Los Angeles and New York continue to compete without league subsidies to offset tax disparities.
Furthermore, Bettman underlines the significance of smart management, strong ownership, fantastic facilities, and team chemistry in teams' success, as opposed to tax advantages. He finds the argument that tax benefits explain Florida's recent hockey achievements to be an affront to the organizations and their endeavors. Overall, Bettman rejects the tax argument as a smokescreen obstructing the real factors driving team success in the NHL.
Bookmakers could find it challenging to predict Florida's hockey teams' success solely based on the state's tax policy, given the past performance of teams like Tampa and the Panthers. Even with the absence of state income tax, other factors such as management, ownership, and team chemistry play significant roles in a team's success, as highlighted by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
